Boiled for too long broccoli turns mushy, while roasted it goes nutty with crisp edges, so how you cut it matters as much as the timing.
1Choose: Pick heads with tight, dark green florets and a firm, pale stem. Yellowing buds and a dry, hollow-looking stem end mean it is past its best.
2Store: Keep it unwashed in the fridge in a loosely closed bag or the salad drawer, and wash it just before you cook it.
3Prep: Cut the crowns into wedges with a flat side, as flat surfaces brown better than rounded ones. Peel the tough skin from the thick stalk and slice it, as the stalk is good to eat.
4Cook: To roast in a skillet, start the pieces in a cold pan with plenty of oil and a splash of water, cover and cook over a high heat for about four minutes so they steam. Then take the lid off and let the cut sides brown.
Video: “How to Make Skillet Roasted Broccoli” by America's Test Kitchen on YouTube.
Answers are drawn from the sources named on this page. Not medical or veterinary advice.
When can babies eat broccoli?+
The earliest stage on this page is 6–8 months: Steam a whole floret until the stalk squashes easily between your finger and thumb. The stalk is the handle.
How do I cut and serve broccoli for my baby?+
6–8 months (Stalk as a handle): Steam a whole floret until the stalk squashes easily between your finger and thumb. The stalk is the handle.
9–11 months (Bite-size pieces): Smaller soft florets once your baby picks things up between finger and thumb.
12–24 months (Bite-size pieces): Chopped into the family meal. Keep it soft — raw florets stay out.
Is broccoli a choking hazard for babies?+
Hard raw fruit and vegetables are a choking risk. Grate, mash, steam or simmer them, or cut into slices rather than small chunks. Source: NHS Best Start in Life: preparing food safely for babies.
